How to Read an MRI Report of the Neck
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a diagnostic tool that helps doctors to see soft tissues and organs in your body in very intricate details. When looking at an MRI of your neck, you will be able to see where the vertebrae, discs and spinal cord sit and any abnormalities that may exist in the neck. You can learn to review your MRI results to understand what your doctor is explaining to you, but don't try to self-diagnose. Seek a second opinion if you are concerned about what your doctor is telling you.
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Instructions
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How to Read an MRI Report of the Neck
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Confirm the patient information noted on the MRI images. This should include the patient's name and age and date of the MRI scan. This is imperative to ensure proper diagnosis.
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Review the normal anatomical structures you will be looking at on your MRI. Use the medical textbook to find what normal anatomical structures are. Pay special attention to the curve of the spine and where the discs and nerves are located. Your MRI will have several sections giving a detailed diagnostic of the neck. While there will most likely be a cross section (horizontal plane) and coronal section (vertical view), the one that often gives the most information is the sagittal section (profile view). Your MRI will also have several depths shown of these views to give details about each section so your doctor can measure the size of any abnormality.
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Review the spinal cord along the neck. This should be smooth with no bumps. A bump represents pressure on the spinal cord that may be caused by a herniated disc or other anatomical protrusion.
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Review the discs located between the vertebrae. They should be oval shapes without any odd protrusions or edges.
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Determine liquid areas on the MRI, which will show up as white. These include water-filled areas and blood. The discs and spinal cord should be white. If an area is dark, this represents a dehydrated area. If a disc is degenerated, it may have lost much of its fluid and show up as a dark spot between the vertebrae.
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Tips & Warnings
Understanding your MRI does not replace proper medical evaluation and diagnosis. Talk to your doctor about what these images represent. Seek a second opinion if you have additional concerns.
